Autumn is a great season for annuals, low-maintenance perennials and evergreen shrubs to shine. In fact, some of the most popular flowers, like colorful mums, roses, dahlias, purple pansies and yes, even bright yellow sunflowers, all bloom around September and October.
October is a good time to plant shrubs because the cooler temperatures of fall aren't as stressful on plants. When the air temperature is cool but the soil still retains some warmth, plants are encouraged to put out root growth.
For those planning big changes in the garden, perhaps to a more water thrifty plants, October is definitely the time to get started so plants are well-established by next summer. This is just about the only time you can plant California natives, and most drought-resistant plants do best planted in the fall.
Planting a few mums or asters in your flower beds or container gardens towards the end of the season is a wonderful way to breathe new life and color into your outdoor space. But beyond that, the cooler temperatures of autumn make it the perfect time to get bulbs and some ornamental flowering bushes in the ground too.
That's right, even when the temperatures fall below freezing and a thick blanket of snow covers the ground, some flowers can grow tall. Many perennials, annuals, and shrubs actually bloom during the coldest months of the year.
In fact, some of the most popular flowers, like colorful mums, roses, dahlias, purple pansies and yes, even bright yellow sunflowers all bloom around September and October.
October has two birth flowers: the Marigold and Cosmos.
While you can plant roses in the fall, well before the first frost (6 weeks), you will see little growth and blooming until the following spring.
Although each plant's needs may vary and some will be more winter-hardy than others, in general about a month before the last fall frost is sufficient in giving the plant enough time to establish itself and take root.
The right time to plant is about six weeks before the first predicted frost date in the fall. This gives them time to establish roots so they have the best chance of surviving the winter and emerging in spring. Don't plant too early, though.
Leafy greens and Brassicas: Lettuces, spinach, and Swiss chard can be planted from seed or from transplant this month. Plant members of the Brassica family, including broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi, and cauliflower, from transplant. Kale can also be planted from seed in October.
The most vigorous growth of plants will be in the summer when the sun is up and out the longest. During winter, the sun is neither as high in the sky, nor in the sky for as long as it is in the summer. For your plants, that means less light. For some plants, this may trigger dormancy.
During the fall and winter, after the temperature drops, most trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers go through a dormant period, where they are not growing as many new roots. Instead they are storing energy in the roots to be used during the next growing season.
Those born in October enjoy two spectacular birthstones to commemorate their birthdays – opal and tourmaline. Both October birthstones have endless color combinations and beautiful coloring characteristics. Learn more about these two October birthstones and discover the perfect gift for those born in the tenth month.
The chrysanthemum is the official November birth flower. But there is also a lesser known second birth flower of November: the peony.
There are two December birth flowers: holly and narcissus.
Pansies. Remarkable as a winter plant, Pansies can survive freezing coldness and can thrive vigorously when summer returns. Its “smiling face” flowers are vibrant in color and fragrance that can fill up your space with so much joy.
SNOWDROPS (Galanthus nivalis)
True to their name, these early-blooming bulbs often emerge while snow is still on the ground to provide a breath of fresh air for winter-weary gardeners. In mild winters, snowdrops can flower as early as late January, but February or March is more common.
The October birth flowers are marigold and cosmos. With their beautiful autumnal colours and spicy scent, marigolds are extremely fitting for those celebrating their birthday in October and a favourite of many gardeners.
Tip. Mid- to late-August is often an excellent time to plant fall flowers, as long as the weather isn't still so hot that the plants will suffer heat stress.
FLOWERS – sow ageratum, alyssum, candytuft, carnation, cineraria, coreopsis, cornflower, cyclamen, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, Iceland poppy, impatiens, marigolds, sweet pea and viola.